Extrusion nozzle

Abstract

An extrusion nozzle including an outlet port having a single opening with a first region, second region, and a pinched region between the two. The pinched region reduces the dimensions of the extrudate in relation to the dimensions associated with the first and second regions. In that way, the extrudate is joined together but may be easily separated into two separate pieces with dimensions related to the dimensions of the first and second region.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of application number 09 / 496,161, filed Feb. 1, 2000 now abandoned.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to the formation of extruded products. More particularly, the present invention relates to processed food extrusion devices. The present invention is a single-head nozzle for shaped extrusions.[0004]2. Description of the Prior Art[0005]The mass production of formable products may be effected in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, by way of extrusion systems. An extruder is a device that forces mixed ductile or semi-soft solids through die openings of appropriate shape to produce continuous film, strips, tubing, or solid cylinders and polygons. The ductile or semi-soft solid is then subjected to further treatment, such as calendering, heating, etc., in order to finalize the shape and characteristics of the product created. Important a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a food preparation system and method with an efficient extrusion stage. The extrusion nozzle has a single opening shaped to form a coupled pair of shaped ropes, which minimizes void formation and creates a symmetrical or asymmetrical appearance. The nozzle outlet opening has a pinched region that encases the extruded material in a single extrusion step. The invention also includes an optional inner extrusion nozzle that allows for the formation of an encased extrudate. The related manufacturing process involves the introduction of one or more mix components into a mixing unit, which is then forced into the single-head nozzle. The extruded mixture may then be directed to conventional final processing steps including, but not limited to thermal processing."

Problems solved by technology

For low-viscosity materials that set up almost immediately upon exiting the nozzle, the nozzle outlet configuration can be relatively complex.

For more viscous materials, it is difficult to have a complex outlet configuration and still minimize voids.

It has generally been observed that these simple shapes result in minimum void creation in prepared food products.

A hand-held prepared food product, for example, cannot be so large as to become unwieldy, yet it must be large enough to satisfy the targeted consumer class (i.e., adult or child).

Unfortunately, the single tube or rope shape may not be suitable in the formation of all prepared and packaged food products that are acceptable to consumers and cost effective for the manufacturer to create.

The first option adds considerably more processing delay and room for significant error in the coupling of the rope pairs.

These additional processing requirements increase the cost associated with creating prepared foods through an extrusion process.

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